‘Light it Blue’ — Mackinac Bridge campaign begins Tuesday

Sunday

Mar 31, 2013 at 4:00 PM

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA), in partnership with Corner Pieces, DTE Energy, Kewadin Casinos, the Autism Alliance of Michigan, and the Autistic Children’s Treatment Network (ACT), will hold a ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace on Tuesday, April 2, in honor of Global Autism Awareness Day.

“Light It Blue Michigan” is an autism-awareness campaign launched by Corner Pieces, a non-profit organization based in Sault Ste. Marie, dedicated to improving the well being of children and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

More than 50,000 individuals have autism in Michigan; approximately 16,000 are children.

The Mackinac Bridge will be lit blue at sundown on April 2 for the entire month, to kick off this year’s campaign.

Michigan’s Lt. Governor Brian Calley, whose young daughter suffers from autism, is expected to speak at the event. Other speakers include: ACT President and MBA Board Member Murray D. Wikol; Dr. Colleen Allen, president of the Autism Alliance of Michigan; Anthony Ianni, a former MSU basketball player who has been diagnosed with autism; State Representative Frank Foster; and Ben Duff, founder of Corner Pieces.

The national campaign also includes such landmarks as the Empire State Building and the White House turning blue.

ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder that affects a child’s ability to communicate and socialize with others. It usually appears within a child’s first three years.

The national campaign also includes such landmarks as the Empire State Building and the White House turning blue.

For more information, visit www.cornerpieces.org or www.lightitbluemichigan.com.